Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015 sqft acre	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Rentable square feet of commercial real estate property (in sq feet)	31,300,000
Rentable square feet of commercial real estate properties under development (in sq feet)	1,200,000
Undeveloped land suitable for development (in acres)	500
Common Units redeemed for a like number of common shares of stock (in shares)	26,820
Net proceeds of Common Stock sold during the period	$ 40,567	$ 153
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member]
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Common Units of partnership owned by the Company (in shares)	93,600,000
Percentage of ownership of Common Units (in hundredths)	97.00%		96.90%
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member] | ATM Equity Offering [Member]
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Common Stock sold during the period (in shares)	914,126
Average price of Common Stock sold during the period (in dollars per share)	$ 45.34
Net proceeds of Common Stock sold during the period	$ 40,800
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Common Units of partnership not owned by the Company (in shares)	2,900,000